Sea Kayaking UK

Thank you to everyone who supported the The DPJ Foundation charity fundraising event and congratulations to the Cuffed-in Coffee team!!

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has supported us, donated and followed our journey across the Irish Sea. 💙

The response has been incredible.

For me, this was always about more than the challenge itself. Supporting our local community is a huge part of what Cuffed-in Coffee is about and why we do what we do.

The DPJ Foundation does incredibly important work supporting mental health in farming and rural communities across Wales, and I'm really proud that our slightly crazy idea has helped shine a light on that work.

We've completed the crossing, but we are still fundraising to try and raise as much as we can and also make people aware of the support DPW Foundation can offer.

If you can donate, share the link or simply help spread the word, it all makes a difference.

https://www.justgiving.com/team/pedaltheirishseateam?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

Thank you!

Kristian ☕🌊

🌊 GET READY FOR WHITEWATER: The Celtic Emergency paddle kit is a 4pc paddle that fits into a dry bag. The paddle breaks down easily into 4 pieces and is designed to fit behind the seat in a white water kayak: https://shop.seakayakinguk.co.uk/products/emergency-whitewater-paddle

Tough Polymer blades
Utilises the Paddlok system for rock solid joints
197cm in length
Lightweight glass shaft
Whitewater - Blade Mania Design
Dihedral power face - 19.75cm w, 48.5cm L
45 degree feather
Right & Left Handed
Optional Emergency Paddle Bag
A quality emergency paddle - good enough for every day use.

Emergency Whitewater Paddle - available with or without a dry bag The Celtic Emergency paddle kit is a 4pc paddle that fits into a dry bag. The paddle breaks down easily into 4 pieces and is designed to fit behind the seat in a white water kayak. Tough Polymer blades Utilises the Paddlok system for rock solid joints 197cm in length Lightweight glass shaft Whitewat...

🌊 MISSION COMPLETE.

Kristian and Graham have completed their pedal-powered crossing of the Irish Sea.

The crossing:

🌊 116.91 km / 72.6 miles travelled
⏱ 17 hours 36 minutes
⚙️ 1 pedal-powered craft
👥 3 riders, taking it in turns to pedal
💨 6.7 km/h average speed
🚀 11.1 km/h maximum speed

And a correction from us! In some of our posts leading up to the challenge we said the planned crossing was 77km. It should have said 77 MILES. Our mistake – and apologies for the confusion.

But completing the crossing was never the end of this campaign.

We've now raised nearly £1,500 for The DPJ Foundation, and we want to take that much further.

Su***de and poor mental health within rural communities in Wales are incredibly serious issues. The DPJ Foundation provides vital support to people working in agriculture and rural communities, and this challenge has always been about raising both funds and awareness for that work.

So although the pedalling has stopped, the fundraising hasn't.

If you've followed Kristian and Graham's journey, please consider donating, sharing the fundraiser or simply helping us get the message out there. 💙

https://www.justgiving.com/team/pedaltheirishseateam?utm_medium=TE&utm_source=CL

A huge thank you also needs to go to Nigel Dennis from Sea Kayaking UK and The Lobster Pot for their support in making this challenge possible. 💙

And to everyone else who helped with the preparation, crossing and support along the way, thank you.💙

And they're off! 💙🌊 SKUK wish all the best to the Cuffed-in Coffee crew pedal kayakers as they start their pedal across the Irish Sea for Welsh mental health charity:

The founders of Anglesey-based Cuffed-in Coffee take on one of their biggest adventure yet, attempting to pedal across the Irish Sea in specially modified kayaks while raising funds for The DPJ Foundation. Kristian Cuffin and Graham Wood, who founded Cuffed-in Coffee on Anglesey, hope to become the first people to complete the crossing using pedal-powered kayaks. Using specially adapted kayaks fitted with pedal-drive systems, the pair are aiming to complete the crossing between Holyhead and Dún Laoghaire, based on weather and sea conditions. The challenge is raising funds for The DPJ Foundation, which supports people in agriculture and rural communities across Wales. Since launching Cuffed-in Coffee, Kristian and Graham have built the business around community, adventure and the outdoors. They say this expedition reflects those same values while supporting a cause close to their hearts, "we wanted to take on something that really pushes us while raising money for an incredible cause. We hope the challenge encourages people to support The DPJ Foundation, helps raise awareness of mental health and shows what can be achieved when people come together."

Supporters can donate via the team's JustGiving page;
https://www.justgiving.com/page/pedaltheirishse

🌅Meet SKUK Sponsored Paddler, Marcus Demuth: https://www.marcusdemuth.com
In 2026, Marcus, a passionate kayaker, drummer and a former member of the NYC Blue Man Group, became a "Sea-Kayak Leader" (British Canoeing Awarding Body) and "Aktivitetsleder Hav" (Norwegian Paddleforbund), both are professional sea-kayak guide certifications.
As an expedition sea-kayaker, Marcus became the first kayaker to ever successfully circumnavigate the Falkland Islands, a trip of over 680 Miles in 22 days (trip stats).
Marcus circumnavigated Ireland (1050 Miles) in 42 days, and Great Britain in 80 days (2200 Miles), at the time the new record for a UK solo circumnavigation (article by Joe Glickman).
Other expeditions brought Marcus to Tierra Del Fuego (article World’s First attempt to circumnavigate Tierra Del Fuego), Iceland, Australia, Patagonia, Norway, Canada, the East and West coast of the US, etc.
After the UK circumnavigation, Marcus extended his stay in the UK to obtain a Masters in Physical Oceanography at the University of Bangor, Wales.
In 2025, Marcus became a member of the "Working Group on Marine Litter" of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), an intergovernmental marine-science organization based in Copenhagen.
Marcus came in first place in his class in all NYC Mayors Cup races, first in his class at the NY Hudson Highlands Greenway Triathlon, and won the 1st prize in the The North Face Polarguard Adventure Contest.
Marcus was the general manager of Manhattan Kayak Company, overseeing more than 100 paddling classes and tours a month, leading classes and managing the boathouse storage-facility for 120 kayaks.
Marcus gives presentations about his expeditions at kayak symposiums, kayak clubs and corporate functions around the world.
Marcus’ trips and expeditions have been covered by Outside Magazine, the New York Times, Sea Kayaker Magazine, Canoe & Kayak Magazine, Adventure Kayak Magazine, the Explorer's Club Journal, Ocean Paddler Magazine (UK), Paddler Magazine (UK), See Kayaker Magazine (Germany), among others.
Marcus will be working as a kayak guide based in Kiel, but available anywhere in Europe.🌅

Marcus Demuth, Expedition Sea-Kayaker, Oceanographer Marcus Demuth, Sea-Kayaker and Oceanographer (MSc)

Check out our latest Celtic Paddle Blade Set from the limited edition range - the Pulse, Whitewater/Surf

🌊 Limited Edition Pulse Blade Set for Standard Shaft paddles. Like the Kinetik Power, the Pulse requires good stroke fundamentals--the blade should be active at all times when immersed in the water. Your reward will be an incredible one-ness with the water. You will feel everything happening around you, and you will have a powerful but precise tool at your command to execute your strategy.

CF Carbon reinforced Nylon - to fit standard 29.3mm 2 or 4 piece shafts. CF is a lighter option than the N12 Nylon polymer blades. Outstanding durability.

Blade dimensions:

Blade width: 19.5cms

Blade Length: 48.5cms

Blade weight - set: 700kgs

Note: for paddle weight you need to add the shaft weight, shaft weights range from approx. 200g to 360g depending on length and centre joint type.

Pulse Whitewater/Surf Blade Set - CF - LIMITED EDITION The Limited Edition Pulse Blade Set - for Standard Shaft paddles. Like the Kinetik Power, the Pulse requires good stroke fundamentals--the blade should be active at all times when immersed in the water. Your reward will be an incredible one-ness with the water. You will feel everything happening aro...

SKUK create a new custom designed PEDAL-powered kayak! 🚴‍♂️in support of the -in Coffee crew crossing from Holyhead to Dún Laoghaire! The challenge will raise funds for the DPJ Foundation, supporting mental health in agriculture and rural communities across Wales. Further details of the trip to follow!
💙you can donate to the charity online here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/pedaltheirishsea

☕ Fuel for Adventure means something a little different this week.

In just a few days, Kristian and Graham will attempt to pedal across the Irish Sea 🌊 to raise funds for The DPJ Foundation, supporting mental health in agriculture and rural communities across Wales.

Over the coming week we'll be sharing the people behind the challenge, the training, the preparation and, weather permitting, the crossing itself.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated and shared the campaign. Your support means a great deal. 💙

Support the challenge via the link in our comments below.

⏳ 7 days to go.

FUEL FOR ADVENTURE